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The F-16 is here to stay for a significant amount of time no matter how much we talk about 5th generation. A Hell of a machine. If we can make JF-17 work and develop half of what we see with F-16 evolution, being sort of the role model(F-16 being the primary fighter the JF-17 look up to i would say) we would have done an awesome job and developed a machines to meet our needs for years.F-16 Fighting Falcon NewsF-16V Takes Flight
October 21, 2015 (by John Losinger) - Lockheed Martin successfully completed the maiden flight of the F-16V, the latest and most advanced F-16 on the market.
The maiden flight of the F-16V (Former RoCAF F-16A block 20 #93702), the latest version of the F-16 was completed on October 16, 2015. The flight marked the first time an F-16 has flown with Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array Scalable Agile Beam Radar. [Photo by Randy Crites]
The October 16 flight marks the first time an F-16 has flown with Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), which will deliver a quantum leap in capability for the venerable F-16.
The F-16V “Viper” advanced avionics configuration also includes a new cockpit Center Pedestal Display, a modernized mission computer, a high-capacity Ethernet data bus, and several other missions systems enhancements that collectively add significant combat capabilities to address the dynamic threat environments emerging in the coming decades.
“This flight marks a historic milestone in the evolution of the F-16,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group. “The new F-16V configuration includes numerous enhancements designed to keep the F-16 at the forefront of international security, strengthening its position as the world’s foremost combat-proven 4th Generation fighter aircraft.”
The F-16V, an option for both new production F-16s and F-16 upgrades, is the next generation configuration that leverages a common worldwide sustainment infrastructure and provides significant capability improvements to the world’s most affordable, combat-proven multi-role fighter.
Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 SABR AESA fire control radar provides 5th Generation air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capability. Northrop Grumman also provides AESA radars for the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation
Related articles:Lockheed Martin tries to get Indonesia interested in the F-16V (2015-10-07)Scalable Agile Beam Radar brings advanced capabilities to F-16 FleetLockheed Martin selects Northrop Grumman's SABR for the F-16 AESA Radar Upgrade Program (2013-07-31)Raytheon wins RoKAF F-16 radar upgrade competition (2013-04-11)Lockheed Martin awarded upgrade contract for 145 RoCAF F-16s (2012-10-01)F-16 Fighting Falcon news archive
Forum discussion:First F-16V flight
What's layout in the pic's ? weapons , pods etc .
ALQ 211 V9 ECM podUTC/Goodrich DB-110 Recce pod ( light colored )
To be fair, if the 8 new F-16s pull through, then the PAF would be at 84~86 birds, not too far from 100-120, especially if more incremental orders are made.My romance never finds it muse here. How much have all of us wanted to see PAF complete their 100-120 F-16 dream but it's been YEARS and there's no news. Those 18, thank God, we got our hands onto those timely: future looks grim here with F-16s.
I totally believe PAF should either get straight with government and draw a practical roadmap to 120 birds program as 6 F-16 squadrons completed by a double Thunders look amazing till 2030 for our region.
But if there's nothing coming, better put all this effort into MIG-35, J-10 and Block III thunders. The F-16 thing, although the best case scenario may just prove to be a US Naval Ship that was promised but never turned up.
My romance never finds it muse here. How much have all of us wanted to see PAF complete their 100-120 F-16 dream but it's been YEARS and there's no news. Those 18, thank God, we got our hands onto those timely: future looks grim here with F-16s.
I totally believe PAF should either get straight with government and draw a practical roadmap to 120 birds program as 6 F-16 squadrons completed by a double Thunders look amazing till 2030 for our region.
But if there's nothing coming, better put all this effort into MIG-35, J-10 and Block III thunders. The F-16 thing, although the best case scenario may just prove to be a US Naval Ship that was promised but never turned up.
The problem are not these folks. The real problem lies with those at the helm of affairs who have been quietly making mistakes over the years and pinning the blame on others!
That is why the paradox exists! Why blame US for all your evils and then go and buy and beg more stuff from them! The reality lies somewhere in the middle.
For us, the general public, this remains an enigma! God and GoP moves in mysterious ways
New Recruit
wow all problems are with us US never wanted to be globel police and infact they are angels dude u promised ship to us did u gave it to us and btw totel loss in war agains terrorism is 100 arab dollers and your military and civilian aid 1 arab dollers ??? and btw we never said there isnt any problem with our politicians but question is were it isnt yes we will and majority of youth will change but u cant cal america an angel and ccan never call it peacefull either so just shut up will ya?Yup, I agree. It seems like for decades, nothing was done properly, specially for the people of Pakistan. So to hide these inept behaviors, the blame would get shifted 5000 miles away to the US. I wish people can understand the fact that their leaders in establishment and in other places made US the scapegoat for ALL of their inabilities to do something for the People of Pakistan. In that regards, I think the US is more loyal to Pakistani people than their own leaders for the past 50+ years as no matter how good or bad the situation was in Pakistan, the US kept providing assistance to the people of Pakistan in some shape of form.
Right now, the US is helping with Education, Healthcare, Teacher Development, Anti-Terrorism, Infrastructure,Defense and many other areas needing help. I wish once in a while, someone can open a thread from the Pakistani community on here, saying "Projects initiated and supported by the US", and highlight the real facts about how much help the US is providing to Pakistan.
I hope this deal of F-16's goes through and the US government can approve more F-16's for Pakistan in the future. A conventionally strong and politically stable Pakistan is important for the US and for the rest of the globe!!
on which evil "with in" us we blamed others? reality is we arnt blaming others on our faults but are blamimg evry single for there faults and on ours we criticse overslevesThe problem are not these folks. The real problem lies with those at the helm of affairs who have been quietly making mistakes over the years and pinning the blame on others!
That is why the paradox exists! Why blame US for all your evils and then go and buy and beg more stuff from them! The reality lies somewhere in the middle.
For us, the general public, this remains an enigma! God and GoP moves in mysterious ways
So you get everything from the US, but the negativity never ends. Was the comment about one stupid Naval ship a must have here? When the US has provided billions of dollars worth of weapons outside of it? Believe it or not, many "Think Tanks", don't go to Pakistan and live with the locals to understand the negative sentiment towards the Americans. They go through websites like these and clearly see how negative you guys are towards the US, no matter what or how much the US does for your country!!
By writing things like these, when you are buying more F-16's from the SAME US, just shows hypocrisy, double standards and at times, a nation without a logical thought process. When you write on here, MANY readers across the globe, judge your intentions towards their respective nations, based on these posts. So you may be creating a VERY negative image of yourself and your country. Always be positive and remain fact-full. Writing negativity or hatred, never accomplishes anything!!
Back to the post, this 8 is just one order. I think as soon as some more investments and business relations are established in the next 2 years (like GE guys going to that power plant), the US media and law makers will hear about it, and as bi-lateral trade increases and agreements are signed, Pakistan will go back for bigger orders of F-16's with cash payment as she can afford it. There should be no stopping to that.
The PAF will have around 120-140 F-16's (additional ones will include a mix of new and used ones). Unless, the PAF decides to acquire a heavier, twin engine platformed, or the JFT block III turns out to be a hit from the first plane.
And AMRAAM-D's are a must get for PAF too.